The remote kingdom of Tonga in Polynesia is home to humpback whales for a few months each year. Tim Rock explains what it's like to be in the water with these amazing mammals. Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at https://divehappy.com/tonga-humpback-whales-podcast/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com...
Jan 31, 2021•33 min
Widely regarded as the best dive location in the Philippines, the remote, UNESCO Heritage listed Tubbataha Reef is worth the effort the visit. Tony Exall explains why. Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at https://divehappy.com/tubbataha-reef-diving-podcast/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com...
Jan 25, 2021•29 min
The Diver Who Fell From The Sky is Simon Pridmore's fascinating biography of Francis Toribiong, the man who put Palau diving on the map. Tim Rock discusses his contributions to Simon's book and his enduring friendship with Francis. Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at https://divehappy.com/palau-diving-francis-toribiong-podcast/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscrib...
Jan 18, 2021•45 min
Diving in the Philippines' Sogod Bay is so good we're returning to Southern Leyte's best-kept secret, this time with underwater videographer Tony Exall Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at https://divehappy.com/sogod-bay-diving-podcast/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com...
Jan 11, 2021•36 min
LAMAVE (Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute) has pioneered whale shark research in the Philippines through the collective efforts of volunteer helpers. Jessica Labaja explains LAMAVE’s ongoing research and education mission. Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/lamave-volunteer-whale-shark-research/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or g...
Oct 05, 2020•29 min
Being a marine biologist sounds like a dream job for divers, but what's the day-to-day reality? Dr Simon Pierce describes what it's really like as a full-time occupation. Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/dream-job-whats-it-like-to-be-a-marine-biologist/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substa...
Sep 22, 2020•27 min
Near to the Philippines’ Dumaguete City are not one but two outstanding dive areas - the famous Apo Island, and the macro heaven of Dauin’s coastline. Tony Exall outlines the merits of each. Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/dumaguete-diving-podcast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.co...
Sep 15, 2020•28 min
Indonesia’s Komodo National Park is infamous for its strong currents underwater. Emma Tolmie explains how learning to ride the lightning can lead to the best dives. Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/komodo-diving-podcast/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com...
Aug 31, 2020•31 min
Yonaguni’s mysterious underwater monument has intrigued scientists and divers for decades. Is it natural or man-made? Florine from World Adventure Divers explains. Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/diving-the-yonaguni-monument-japan/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com...
Aug 24, 2020•24 min
Koh Lanta is the gateway to some of Thailand’s best diving, as well as being a great apres-dive location too. Joe Guilmette describes what makes Koh Lanta’s diving so special. Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/diving-koh-lanta-podcast/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com...
Aug 10, 2020•23 min
Famous for its vast, shape-shifting shoals of sardines, Moalboal has plenty of other underwater surprises for scuba divers. Tony Exall explains. Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/moalboal-diving-podcast/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com...
Aug 03, 2020•33 min
Diving on a still active volcano with hundreds of deadly poisonous sea snakes - what could possibly go wrong? Simon Marsh explains where to find the wild side of Banda Sea diving Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/diving-banda-sea-podcast-part-2/ You can also hear the first part of this conversation at Diving The Banda Sea: Part 1 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this w...
Jul 27, 2020•24 min
Crossing The Banda Sea is one of Indonesia's most epic liveaboard experiences. Simon Marsh explains the spectacular diving to be found along the way, as well as the fascinating history of the tiny Banda Islands. Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/diving-banda-sea-podcast/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit...
Jul 20, 2020•20 min
One of the world's most geographically isolated places, Hawaii's volcanic seascape is a haven for marine life, ranging from mating humpback whales to night dive manta rays to endemic fish species. Tim Rock explains Hawaii's unique underwater appeal. Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, and details of Tim’s Kickstarter campaign for his 50 Best Dives in Hawaii book, are at divehappy.com/diving-hawaii-podcast/ This i...
Jul 13, 2020•38 min
The tiny island of Malapascua in the Philippines is the best place in the world to see the elusive thresher shark. Dr Simon Pierce explains how the sharks have become a great example of successful eco-tourism. Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/diving-malapascua-podcast/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ...
Jul 06, 2020•25 min
Diving Taiwan is full of surprises, with a variety of dive sites across the country almost unknown to tourists. Simon Pridmore explains Taiwan’s underwater highlights. Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/diving-taiwan-podcast/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com...
Jun 29, 2020•32 min
From ice diving to shark diving to tropical reef diving, Japan has it all. Tim Rock gives an overview of how to explore Japan's many different underwater environments. Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/diving-japan-podcast/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com...
Jun 22, 2020•33 min
HTMS Chang is one of Thailand's best wreck dives, and along with the very fishy Alhambra Rock, it's accessible as a weekend liveaboard from Bangkok Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/diving-htms-chang-and-alhambra-rock-podcast/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com...
Jun 15, 2020•14 min
The World War 2 shipwrecks in the Philippines' Coron Bay are an underwater timewarp into the past. Tony Exall explains what it's like to dive them today. Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/diving-coron-shipwrecks-podcast/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com...
Jun 07, 2020•32 min
Lembongan is Bali's wild side, famous for the chance to see mola mola (oceanic sunfish) and manta rays. Chris Mitchell talks to long-time Lembongan resident and dive shop owner Tim Birkett about how to best explore the island’s diving Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/diving-lembongan-bali-podcast/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get acc...
Jun 01, 2020•30 min
Romblon island is a hotspot for tiny underwater critters rarely seen elsewhere in the Philippines. Founder of DiverBliss.com Ara Juan explains the appeal of Romblon's super macro marine life Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned, along with a complete transcript of the episode, are at divehappy.com/diving-romblon-the-philippines-secret-super-macro-paradise/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus ep...
May 25, 2020•25 min
Triton Bay remains one of Indonesia's best - and still largely undiscovered - diving areas. Veteran underwater photojournalist Tim Rock discusses what makes Triton Bay diving so good. Full show notes with links to the various people and places mentioned are at divehappy.com/triton-bay-diving-2020-podcast/ The audio at the very beginning of this episode on my end is a bit wobbly, but it quickly gets better - sorry about that! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other ...
May 17, 2020•25 min
It's the ideal of a dream job for many, but what does it really take to be a Liveaboard Cruise Director? Dive Damai Operations Manager Simon Marsh explains all This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com
Apr 04, 2017•35 min
Next door to Raja Ampat, Triton Bay is another of Indonesia's frontier diving treasures that is still being explored and understood. Triton Bay Divers' Jimmy Thai explains why it's so special. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com
Mar 23, 2017•17 min
Imagine diving on the side of a mountain covered in coral and marine life - that's Tubbataha Reef. Yvette Lee explains why these remote atolls are the greatest dive spot in the Philippines This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com
Jan 05, 2017•25 min
Yap maybe most famous for its resident manta ray population, but Tim Rock explains how this tiny Micronesian group of islands has a gamut of other oceany delights plus a unique topside culture too. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com
Dec 22, 2016•37 min
Truk Lagoon's scores of easily accessible WWII shipwrecks are also stunningly colourful "ship reefs" and havens for marine life. Tim Rock describes why Truk is one of the world's most incredible dive spots This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com
Sep 29, 2016•37 min
Sogod Bay is the Philippines' best kept secret for scuba diving - a marine sanctuary that boasts beautiful reefs, great critter life and regular whale shark visits. Sogod Bay Scuba Resort director Phil McGuire explains Sogod's hidden charms This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com
Sep 09, 2016•25 min
Raja Ampat's Misool Eco Resort is surrounded by pristine coral reefs and thriving fish life - thanks in large part to the decade-long conservation efforts of the resort itself. Co founder Marit Miners explains how a motley crew of divers managed to create an eco sanctuary. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com...
Aug 14, 2016•36 min
Scores of sharks, epic underwater landscapes, WW2 wrecks, the Top 5 Of All Time dive site Blue Corner - Palau has it all. Tim Rock has been diving Palau for over three decades and discusses why he still keeps going back This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit divehappy.substack.com
Jun 30, 2016•43 min